When (if) I cleave the sky manifestly, how should I say, ‘Dost thou see any clefts therein?’”
چون شکافم آسمان را در ظهور ** چون بگویم هل تری فیها فطور
In order that in this darkness they may spread (the carpet of) endeavour, they are turning, every one, their faces in some direction.3630
تا در این ظلمت تحری گسترند ** هر کسی رو جانبی می‌‌آورند
For awhile things are reversed: the thief brings the magistrate to the gallows,
مدتی معکوس باشد کارها ** شحنه را دزد آورد بر دارها
So that many a sultan and man of lofty spirit becomes the slave of his own slave for awhile.
تا که بس سلطان و عالی همتی ** بنده‌‌ی بنده‌‌ی خود آید مدتی
Service (performed) in absence (through faith in the unseen) is fair and comely; when service is demanded (by God from us), ‘tis pleasing (to Him) that the absent should be remembered (that we should remember to perform what is due to Him, though He is unseen).
بندگی در غیب آید خوب و گش ** حفظ غیب آید در استعباد خوش
Where (in what position) is one that praises the king in his presence, compared with one that is shamefaced in absence (from him)?
کو که مدح شاه گوید پیش او ** تا که در غیبت بود او شرم رو
The governor of a fortress who, on the border of the kingdom, far from the sultan and the shadow (protection) of the sultanate,3635
قلعه داری کز کنار مملکت ** دور از سلطان و سایه‌‌ی سلطنت
Guards the fortress from enemies and will not sell it for boundless riches,
پاس دارد قلعه را از دشمنان ** قلعه نفروشد به مال بی‌‌کران
Who, though absent from the king on the outskirt of the frontiers, keeps faith (with him) like one who is present—
غایب از شه در کنار ثغرها ** همچو حاضر او نگه دارد وفا
He in the king's sight is better than the rest who are serving in his presence and ready to devote their lives.
پیش شه او به بود از دیگران ** که به خدمت حاضرند و جان فشان
Therefore half an atom of regard to one's duty in absence is better than a hundred thousand fold observance thereof in presence.
پس به غیبت نیم ذره‌‌ی حفظ کار ** به که اندر حاضری ز آن صد هزار
Obedience (to God) and faith are praiseworthy now; after death, when all is plainly shown, they will be spurned.3640
طاعت و ایمان کنون محمود شد ** بعد مرگ اندر عیان مردود شد
“Inasmuch as the unseen and the absent and the veil are better, close thy lips, and the lip is better silent.
چون که غیب و غایب و رو پوش به ** پس لبان بر بند لب خاموش به
O brother, refrain from speech: God himself will make manifest the knowledge that is with Him (in His possession).
ای برادر دست وا دار از سخن ** خود خدا پیدا کند علم لدن
Witness enough for the sun is its face: what thing is the greatest witness (of all)? God.”
بس بود خورشید را رویش گواه ** أی شی‌‌ء أعظم الشاهد إله
“Nay, speak I will, since both God and the angels and the men of learning are allied in setting forth (this truth).
نه بگویم چون قرین شد در بیان ** هم خدا و هم ملک هم عالمان
God and the angels and those learned in the sciences (of divinity) bear witness that there is no Lord except Him who endureth for ever.”3645
یشهد الله و الملک و اهل العلوم ** إنه لا رب إلا من یدوم
Since God hath given testimony, who are the angels, that they should be associated in the testimony?
چون گواهی داد حق که بود ملک ** تا شود اندر گواهی مشترک
(They are associated) because unsound (weak) eyes and hearts cannot support the radiance and presence of the Sun,
ز آن که شعشاع حضور آفتاب ** بر نتابد چشم و دلهای خراب
Like a bat, which cannot bear the glow of the sun and abandons hope.
چون خفاشی کاو تف خورشید را ** بر نتابد بگسلد اومید را
Know, then, that the angels, as we also, are helpers (co-witnesses)—displayers of the sun in heaven—
پس ملایک را چو ما هم یار دان ** جلوه گر خورشید را بر آسمان
Who say, “We have derived (our) light from a Sun, we have shone upon the weak, like vicegerents (of a mighty King).”3650
کاین ضیا ما ز آفتابی یافتیم ** چون خلیفه بر ضعیفان تافتیم